BENTLEY'S POV"Shut up." The words barely left my lips as I squeezed my eyes shut and clenched my jaw shut.My mother's eyes widened in fear before narrowing in anger. She raised her fist towards my face, prepared to hit me again when suddenly the front door opened and the sound of heavy footsteps echoed throughout the house. Both my parents froze, watching intently as my father entered the room with a large stack of papers under his arm. He looked furious.He stopped in his tracks when he saw our haggard appearances, and the broken vase at our feet. His eyes hardened as he gazed at us. His glare pierced me with so much venom, hatred almost burned the skin of my neck, my chest tightened with anxiety and I quickly dropped my head so my hair covered my face."You lowlife, worthless daughter of mine!" My father roared, advancing forward menacingly. "Why were you even born?!" His fist clenched and unclenched furiously. He stepped forward and grabbed my collar with surprising force. "Ans
BENTLEY'S POV"Get up," he said while extending a hand to help me up to my feet. "We have a lot to do if we're going to convince everyone of this lie."I took his hand and he helped me up, a heavy silence reigned between us."I need to see Accalia," I announced to Luca, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between us. His expression shifted ever so slightly like a subtle sign of surprise at my sudden request of wanting to see his boss's wife."And why is that?" he asked still ensuring that his voice was maintaining its usual cool detachment."She's my best friend," I replied, as if that explained everything. "Besides, I could use some female advice right now. You know, about our 'situation'." I used air quotes around the word "situation," trying to inject a bit of levity into the conversation."Come on, it'll be fun. Plus, you owe me after turning my life into a soap opera," I quipped, hoping to lighten the mood further.Luca raised an eyebrow like a silent question about the s
BENTLEY'S POVAs Luca carried me out of the bathroom, I couldn't help but notice the change between his composed behavior and my own disheveled state. "This is not how I pictured being swept off my feet by a handsome man," I quipped like I was trying to salvage some of my dignity with humor.Luca's lips twitched, I could see a hint of a smile suggesting that my comment had not gone unnoticed. "Well, next time you plan a fall, let me know in advance. I'll make sure to catch you in a more dignified manner," he retorted, his voice laced with a dry humor that surprised me.My mind was still reeling from the fall and the embarrassing yet heroic rescue. When we finally reached my bed, Luca gently laid me down, ensuring the towel preserved my modesty by not allowing it to move away from my most private areas."Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, I noticed his expression softening."I'll live," I replied, trying to find a comfortable position. "But my pride might need some time to recover."
BENTLEY'S POV"You're going to have to put this on."I was still lying on the bed. I tried to sit up but Luca put his hand on my shoulder to stop me, forcing me to lay still.He helped me put on the shirt and I felt myself get wet as his fingers brushed my breast as he helped me put on the shirt, sending chills racing down my spine and eliciting an involuntary moan from my mouth. My blush deepened at the sound, and I averted my gaze, embarrassed beyond belief.Once he pulled the shirt closed, he smiled again, his expression tender."Better?" he asked, his voice low.I nodded shyly.I averted my eyes again, embarrassed and ashamed that he had seen me ogling his body, and attempted to change the subject. "Can you help me get that novel on my desk?" I asked, desperate to distract myself. Anything was better than dwelling on my confusing feelings.Luca looked puzzled. "Which one?" he queried."That one!" I pointed to the shelf above my night table, indicating which book I was referring to
BENTLEY'S POV"It's like living in a romance novel, minus the romance and double the awkwardness," I joked, earning a laugh from her.Accalia's laughter echoed through the phone. "I need to see this. Stay safe, and keep me posted on your 'pregnancy' saga!""I will. Love you, bye!"Hanging up, I couldn't help but smile at the craziness of it all. Luca, still reading, looked up briefly. "Interesting book?" I asked, curious about his sudden interest in my novel."It's... enlightening," he replied with a straight face, returning to the book."So, am I as intriguing as your billionaire boss in there?" he asked, nodding towards the novel."More like the stoic bodyguard who secretly has a heart of gold," I replied, smiling despite the pain coursing through my body.Luca just rolled his eyes but continued reading, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. I shook my head, amused. Life had taken a strange turn, but at least it wasn't boring. And with Luca by my side, pretending to be m
BENTLEY'S POV"I'm bored out of my mind," I confessed, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "Can we watch some TV? I think a change of scenery would do me good, and I could use some mind-numbing entertainment."Luca closed the book, marking his page with a finger, and considered me for a moment. "TV, huh? I was getting to the good part but I suppose I can take a break for some quality television. Any preferences?""Anything that's not a documentary on the mating habits of insects," I quipped, grimacing at the memory of accidentally stumbling upon one such program during a late-night channel surfing expedition.Laughing, Luca stood up and strolled over to me. "Your wish is my command, miss clumsy," he declared, bowing slightly in mock solemnity before scooping me up bridal style without any warning."Luca!" I yelped, surprised by the sudden lift, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. "A little warning next time?""And miss the opportunity to see you flustered? Never," he tea
MAX'S POVSitting in that overly cushy chair, with my arm in a cast and my head feeling like it had been used as a soccer ball, I had to admit, this was not how I envisioned my heroic return. There I was, Max, the guy who'd taken a beating trying to be the knight in shining armor, and what do I find? My damsel in distress cozying up with Luca, the guy who probably doesn't even know the meaning of 'distress'."So, Max, enjoying the view from over there?" Luca quipped, breaking me out of my reverie.I shot him a look that I hoped conveyed all the dignity I could muster in my current state. "Oh, absolutely. It's not every day you get to see a live reenactment of 'Beauty and the Beast'. Tell me, Luca, who's playing the beast in this scenario?"Luca just laughed, that annoyingly confident sound. "Well, considering the state you're in, I'd say you're auditioning pretty well for the part."I couldn't help but chuckle, even though it hurt. "Touché. But at least I wear it better."Our hostess,
BENTLEY'S POV"Something with explosions," Luca declared, but the twinkle in his eye told me he'd enjoyed our emotional detour just as much as I had.The beautiful moment between us was abruptly interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Luca and I exchanged puzzled looks. "Are you expecting anyone?" he asked, eyebrows raised."Nope," I replied, just as baffled. "Maybe it's a delivery?"Luca stood, setting the remote down. "I'll check it out. You stay put."As he walked to the door, I couldn't help but wonder who it could be at this hour. My question was answered a moment later when Luca opened the door to reveal Max, standing there in bandages and a hand cast, looking like he'd just escaped from a hospital soap opera."What happened to you?" Luca asked, shock evident in his voice but amusement twinkling in his eyes.Max glared at him, trying to push past into the living room, his eyes landing on me. "I had a little accident," he said, trying to sound nonchalant but clearly fishing for